Sandy Chenal

As a native of NE Ohio, Sandy earned her AAS in Recreation and Wildlife management from Hocking Technical College, and then her BS in Agronomy at the Ohio State University. Upon graduation she was employed by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. She held many positions in the agency including 17 years as a District conservationist in 3 counties, where she provided technical assistance and conservation planning to landowners interested in wildlife conservation and creating pollinator habitat. Prior to that she was the Coordinator of Crossroads Resource Conservation and Development Council. There she served as an Executive Director to a 12 county not-for-profit organization dedicated to economic development with a focus on conservation. She assisted community groups in project development and management, from planning, fundraising to completion. Project accomplishments included creation of critical habitats, assisting in creating new 501(c3) organizations, rail to trails, watershed planning and restoration from acid mine drainage, and training and equipping new beekeepers throughout Eastern Ohio. Recently retired from NRCS, Sandy is planning for a high tunnel, and hopes to take her gardening, and beekeeping to a higher level. In addition she is working part time at a local orchard.